It’s hard to believe that three weeks have already flown by and it is time for another SAL update! What happened to January?!!
The last time I updated you with the sheep blanket, this is where I was at with it:
I was having a couple of problems.
Firstly – thread! I had run out of the thread I was using, and it is now very difficult to order that particular thread. One shop I approached has actually said that despite it being a beautiful thread, they have made the decision to stop stocking it due to the problems they have supplying it. So I suspect it might be another thread that will eventually be no more.
The second problem is that rather marked difference in my stitching before and after I started at the RSN! My French Knots are now so much neater and consistent! A number of you were very helpful with your suggestions, and I have attempted to work my ‘new’ French knots into the ‘old’ French knots to blend it all a little better. I’m not sure it has made any difference, but I am trying to do something so the poor sheep isn’t marked in such a way! My darling husband thinks I’m being over critical and doesn’t understand what I’m talking about, so maybe it’s something only fellow ‘stitchers’ will see.
With the thread problem, I have found in my ‘stash’ a thread by Gumnut Yarns which I am using as a substitute. It is a little thicker than a single strand of the Gloriana thread I initially had, and it is slightly ‘fluffier’ as well, but it is the best I had on hand. It is still a beautiful thread to touch and use, so I am making do with it! And I’m telling myself that it is a sheep – and sheep’s wool isn’t ‘even’ all over! Maybe she just sits on that side more regularly.
And after three weeks ‘progress’ (used very lightly here, as I’m not sure much progress has been made at all), this is now what the mummy sheep looks like.
I’m finding that I am very easily ‘distracted’ when all I am doing is French knot, after French knot, after French knot. I seem to stitch a couple of thread lengths, then see what’s happening on the news or Facebook or something. I even managed to cut one of the dog’s toenails yesterday during my procrastination stage! This may seem insignificant, but trust me, the little terror is really bad at being able to squirm away when those clippers come out!
I’m thinking that I’m now almost close enough to the finish of this sheep’s French knots that I will be able to spice things up with a face and legs and the horns (so it wouldn’t really be a mummy sheep then would it!). I might wait till the end before I put the horns in, just in case I decide not to put them in.
The other thing I have noticed is again thread related. Despite using the same thread colour as the main thread, there must either be some dye-lot changes ever so slightly, or perhaps it is again my stitching of French Knots that has done it, but there is a greenish tinge to these new French knots. The thread ‘looks’ the same colour – but something is definitely different! Again, there is not much I can do about it, and I’m just going to have to go with it. But I think it is always going to bother me slightly….
Do make sure you check out what everyone else has been working on! There are some beautiful pieces being created here! If  you are interested in knowing more about this SAL, do make sure you head over to Avis’ blog, and get in touch with her.
Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina, Susan, Kathy,  Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Steph, Linda
That’s a LOT of french knots! I like doing them, but I can imagine being distracted a bit. Can’t wait to see the finish!
Yes, I think this is enough French knots for even the most avid of fans! It is nice to be able to see my stitching improve with them, even if it is to the detriment of the poor sheep!
I think it’ll be fantastic when it’s finished but I can appreciate how tired you must be getting of all the French knots. The SAL will get you through it 😉
Yes at the moment the SAL is the only thing making me do it! Nothing like a bit of accountability….
Great job keep on going
Yes…..That is what we keep on saying at this SAL: “A small progress is better than none!!”
It certainly is! At least it is pushing me to do it!
I was thinking about those horns….this sheep looks pregnant, so I wanted to find out which female sheep have horns, and Icelandic ewes do…now who’s distracted?!!? and, after spending the last week with raw sheep wool, I can tell you the variation on one sheep is astounding, so keep those French knots coming, they will be quite realistic in the end, grass stains even, people will be asking how you managed to do that!
Thank you for that information on sheep! I hadn’t thought to look it up to that level of detail! I’m definitely going with grass stains… maybe next time this mummy sheep will be finished, stains and all!
That looks like good progress to me! Especially if you know how time consuming they can be. Yes, if you need a little variation, you could definitely stray from the knots and add the legs or eyes…I find myself doing this with projects too 🙂 Looking great, can’t wait to see more!
Thanks Christina. Moving onto a different part of the sheep is probably a better idea than not doing any of it!
Wow! You’re a lot more patient than me!! I can do procrastination with a capital P with something like this! Looking forward to seeing your progress 🙂
Trust me, I think I’m doing well to minimise the procrastination as much as I have! I’m assuming eventually it will get ‘close’ to being finished and I will change pace!
Love all those knots! So much patience. Respect!
Thank you! If only you knew how much procrastination has gone into this…. ?
I applaud your dedication to this. I loathe doing french knots so when I see a project like this I have to say well done to the artist.
Thanks Cindy. French Knots aren’t everyone’s favourite but despite the monotony I do find it quite restful and therapeutic.
one of my favourite sayings is even the longest journey starts with little footsteps.
A lovely saying! I might just print it out for my wall!
I’m still in awe of all those French knots lol. We’re all cheering you along, and Mummy sheep will have her full coat, complete with grass stains, and all ^^
I think it’s getting close, but I just seem to underestimate just how many more knots are needed!
Hi Catherine,
You asked about the site for learning to make ornaments.
It is by a lady called The Twisted Stitcher and here is a link http://tts-learntofinish.blogspot.co.uk/
Helen x
Thank you! Now the fun begins ?
I know what you mean about getting easily distracted lol That happens to me often when I have to do a lot of french knots, eyelets,… It’s not the stitch itself, its the fact that they are never ending
Completely agree Dima! I’m hoping that once I get to a point where the end is near I won’t be so easily distracted ?
That sheep is looking great and very nicely naturalistic!
Thanks! Almost one down two to go…
That is a lot of French knots. I think it looks beautiful, you did a great job blending the old and new knots and the different threads. As you said sheep’s wool isn’t perfect, but yours is
That is very kind of you! My husband thinks I’m being far too harsh on myself, but aren’t we all?
Dyelots do change slightly, and sometimes it can make a big difference, sometimes not. That’s why knitters try always to buy the same dyelot of a colour for any project, even if that means overbuying and having extra.
But truly, I don’t think in this case it is a problem. I can’t see any difference that I couldn’t as easily ascribe to the photography.
I will definitely keep it in mind for the future! I can’t knit to save myself so haven’t had to deal with these things before. I’m still going with grass stains ? mg husband is convinced I’m going mad about these things so maybe he is right!
No, he’s just not looking hard enough. But he will be useful to remind you that embroidery-Muggles don’t see everything that shouts to embroidery geeks!
Wow, that’s a lot of French knots, and they all look very neat to me! ?
Thank you! I just wish I was a bit more uniform with the size of them…
Wow! That looks like a lot of work; I love how uniform it all is. Thanks for sharing with us at Together on Tuesdays.
Thank you for hosting! I’m not seeing it as being uniform but others think I’m being too hard on myself!
I love the tiny little beads! You must have wonderful patience to do this 🙂 I really appreciate you linking up at Together on Tuesdays 🙂
Thanks! There aren’t any beads on him just yet – just a lot of knots! Patience is definitely key with this project!
Your Sheep is going to be so cute and ‘Fluffy’.
Thanks Danette! It is a very effective technique for creating wool.
Aha, ok, so I’m with your husband on this one. I think the slight variations in thread and stitch just give a lovely sheep like texture.
Thanks again – I’m also going with it’s nature which has its own way of being perfect!